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BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Matthias Ruth is the director of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs and a full professor in the School and in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Professor Ruth holds a Masters degree in Economics from the University of Heidelberg, Germany and a PhD in Geography from the University of Illinois, where he also received training in engineering and biology. His research focuses on dynamic modeling of natural resource use, industrial and infrastructure systems analysis, and environmental economics and policy. His theoretical work heavily draws on concepts from engineering, economics and ecology, while his applied research utilizes methods of non-linear dynamic modeling as well as adaptive and anticipatory management.

Applications of his work cover the full spectrum from local to regional, to national and global environmental challenges, as well as the investment and policy opportunities these challenges present. Professor Ruth has published 15 books and over 130 papers and book chapters in the scientific literature.

He is a member of the European Academy of Sciences, serves on the boards of numerous journals and scientific organizations, is a founding Co-editor in-Chief of the journal Urban Climate, and collaborates extensively with scientists and policy makers worldwide.